FIFPro wades into Chinese Super League salaries row calling for more protection for players’ rights in China
World players’ union pushes for the creation of a footballers’ association in China amid concerns about overdue payments.
The world players’ union is pushing for the creation of a footballers’ association in China amid concerns about overdue payments in the burgeoning league.
FIFPro said overdue payables to players was a global issue, with a survey of 14,000 players in 2016 showing that 41 per cent had experienced unpaid wages or bonuses in the previous two seasons.
A separate study in Asia in 2015 involving 1,000 players in nine countries showed that a quarter of players had experienced times when their pay was overdue.
“Players in China do not have the benefit of a local players’ association to protect their interests,” FIFPro said, noting that China had shown a strong commitment to developing the game. “In time, the establishment of an association which protects the players and ensures their voices are represented in administering the sport would be beneficial to further enhance China’s plan to become a global football powerhouse.”
Chinese Super League clubs subsequently shook up international soccer by offering large transfer fees and wages for players from European teams.
Over the past year, transfers such as Shanghai SIPG’s €60 million deal for Brazilian midfielder Hulk have brought a wave of attention to the league, but critics say the purchases lead to little long-term benefit for Chinese soccer.
The sport’s national governing body ruled that any club paying more than 45 million yuan (HK$52.1 million) for a player transfer must pay the same amount to a domestic youth development fund.
The CFA has also proposed a rule that would require clubs to play an under-23 Chinese player for every foreign player on the field.